Providing definitions, clinical features and epidemiology, Sepsis and Non-infectious Systemic Inflammation adopts a comprehensive approach, describing in detail the various physiological systems involved. As such, this unique handbook and reference work is the first to combine sepsis and non-infectious SIRS, reviewing both the biological and medical aspects of these two important syndromes. The whole is rounded off with a discussion of past, present and future therapies.
This unique volume presents an up-to-date review of one of the world s major health problems -- diseases caused by the four dengue viruses. It begins with an insightful story of the origin of dengue disease outbreaks, including the emergence of severe and fatal dengue hemorrhagic fever. The nature, structure and biology of the four dengue viruses are described, and a major portion of the book is focused on the epidemiology of dengue as a mosquito-borne disease. This is complemented by critiques of existing mosquito control programs by three groups of outstanding authorities. The strongest element of the volume is its comprehensive description of the current understanding of dengue disease pathogenesis, followed by an analysis of the pros and cons of five of the most controversial areas in the field: the WHO DEF case definition, secondary dengue infections, virulent viruses, the role of abnormal T cells and autoimmunity.
Contents: Dengue: Overview and History (S B Halstead); The Infectious Agent (D W C Beasley & A D T Barrett); Epidemiology (S B Halstead); Resistance to Infection (D W Vaughn et al.); Clinical Features of Dengue (J Farrar); Management of Dengue (B Wills); Pathogenesis: Risk Factors Prior to Infection (S B Halstead); Elimination of Infection (A L Rothman & F A Ennis); Pathophysiology (S B Halstead); Diagnosis of Dengue Virus Infections (T P Endy et al.); The Control of Dengue Vectors (N G Gratz & S B Halstead); Biological Control of Dengue Vectors: Promises from the Past (B H Kay); Mosquito Control: Behavioral and Community Interventions (P Winch et al.); Controversies (J Rigau-Perez et al.).
Leading scientists, clinicians, and clinical investigators comprehensively review the epidemiology, molecular virology, diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of chronic hepatitis caused by the B and C viruses. The discussion of patient management includes contributions on developing novel therapeutics, supporting patients during therapy, alternative treatments, the use of drugs in chronic viral hepatitis, liver transplantation, and pregnancy in chronic viral hepatitis. Attention is also given to the treatment of patients with concomitant autoimmune disorders, the management of HIV co-infection, and the management of HBV/HCV co-infection.
The 8th volume in the Proteases in Biology and Disease series focuses on the role of proteases in virus function and their potential as anti-viral targets. Viral infections are still difficult to threat and some remained life-threatening diseases in spite of antiviral drug research over decades. Proteases are still regarded as an achilles’ heel of the pathogens and, thus, protease inhibitors may help to handle the known and the emerging viral threads.
The book discusses viral proteases of the most important pathogenic viruses, responsible for severe diseases:
AIDS SARS Hepatitis Cytomegalovirus T-cell lymphotropic virus Picornavirus
This book focuses specifically on the viral proteases, crucial prerequisites for viral entry into cells and viral replication. Viral proteases represent an important pharmaceutical target. The current stage of protease inhibitor development and therapy are summarised and discussed by experts in the field. This volume represents a timely and valuable continuation of the Proteases in Biology and Disease series. The reader will learn the potential for proteases as targets for effective anti-virals. This book will be a valuable source of information on viral proteases and provoke further research in this important field.
Although the earliest accounts of diphtheria date back at least 2,000 years, this disease was first associated with major epidemics in Europe during the 16th century. By the 18th century, diphtheria became a major cause of childhood illness and death in the New World. With the advent of widespread vaccination in the 1920s, the number of cases and deaths dropped dramatically. However, in areas where vaccination rates drop, diphtheria can rapidly become reestablished, as seen in the late 1990s in several former Soviet republics. Diphtheria is a bacterial infection caused by Corynebacterium diphtheriae, which attacks the respiratory system. "Diphtheria" describes the disease, the bacteria that causes it, and the development of effective treatments. Chapters of this title include: History of Diphtheria; How Does Corynebacterium Diphtheriae Cause Disease; How Is Diphtheria Treated; How Is Diphtheria Prevented; Resurgence of Diphtheria in the Former Soviet Union; and, Uses of Diphtheria Toxin.
This basic but comprehensive text is aimed at all healthcare professionals who need a clear understanding of medical virology. Written by two highly experienced virologists, the book is divided into five sections: 1) Individual viruses; 2) Other related agents; 3) Clinical syndromes; 4) Diagnostic techniques; 5) Patient management. The individual virus chapters provide information on incubation period, infectivity, control of infection and management. The clinical syndrome chapters provide information on the clinical presentation of disease, thus enabling the reader to search according to patient symptoms rather than referring to several individual virus chapters. The standard chapter formats, simple language and liberal use of tables, figures and algorithms enable quick access to key information, and the comprehensive coverage of all viral agents is unique in a practical guide of this size.
Both animals and humans can be infected with anthrax, a deadly contagious disease caused by a bacteria, Bacillus anthracis. Cutaneous, inhalational, and intestinal forms of anthrax are discussed, along with methods of prevention and treatment. The use of Bacillus anthracis as a biological weapon is also explored.
This is the first comprehensive book on human/animal gene responses to RNA viral infections, including prevalent, emerging and re-emerging RNA viruses such as HIV, SARS-CoV, West Nile virus, influenza virus and many others. Human gene responses are reviewed by leading virologists worldwide in the following aspects: the altered gene expression profiles at the transcriptional and translational levels detected with cutting-edge technologies such as cDNA microarray and proteomics; host innate and adapted immune responses to viral replication in target organs; virus-activated signal transduction pathways in cell survival, apoptosis and autophagosomal pathways; and, the small interfering RNA/microRNA-mediated gene silencing pathway, a recently characterized new host defense mechanism against viral infection.Organized into 29 highly accessible and well-illustrated chapters, this volume explores state-of-the-art knowledge of the molecular mechanisms of RNA virus infection and host-virus interactions. This comprehensive compilation of the altered gene expression profiles and signal transduction pathways in host cells in response to the majority of human/animal RNA viruses opens new directions for basic and clinical research on viral pathogenesis, and also provides valuable biomarkers for researchers to select gene targets in the development of diagnostic tests and antiviral therapeutics for a number of infectious diseases.
The UN Staff Handbook on Pandemic Influenza, developed by UNICEF, provides useful practical information for individual staff members to take care of themselves and their dependants in the event of an influenza pandemic.
